John McCallum, the Liberal multiculturalism critic, questioned why there have been days of silence from Harper when even some fellow Conservative MPs have criticized Williamson’s words.
OTTAWA – The federal Liberals are demanding that Prime Minister Stephen Harper send a clear signal on racism by expelling an MP from the Conservative caucus over comments about temporary foreign workers that many have deemed offensive, reported Canadian Press.
New Brunswick MP John Williamson has faced days of criticism for his public description of “whities” staying home while “brown people” are imported to fill jobs under the temporary foreign workers program.
The political website iPolitics reported Williamson’s comments last weekend during a panel at the annual Manning Networking Conference in Ottawa.
Williamson, Harper’s former chief spokesman, apologized on Twitter but has not spoken of the incident in the House of Commons. Nor has the prime minister commented on his MP’s remarks, despite several invitations to do so.
That sparked an incendiary exchange during Wednesday’s question period — and later Liberal demands for Williamson’s removal from Conservative ranks.
John McCallum, the Liberal multiculturalism critic, questioned why there have been days of silence from Harper when even some fellow Conservative MPs have criticized Williamson’s words.
A Liberal member of New Brunswick’s provincial legislature has also introduced a motion calling for public censure of the remarks.
